Real Time Snowmelt Runoff Forecasting using ERS SAR PRI Data

Real time forecasts of the snowmelt runoff up to six days in advance were carried out for basins in the Alps of the Zillertal, Austria, which are part of a network of reservoirs for hydropower generation. The forecasts are based on the Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM). Input data to SRM are taken from online measurements of hydro-meteorological parameters, from numerical weather forecast models, and from ERS SAR PRI data. Data links were set up through the Internet to receive the model input data in real time or near real time. The snow extent, automatically derived from ERS SAR PRI images, was available as input to SRM only a few hours after image acquisition. The forecast products were accessible by customers via Internet.